all expenses paid

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   With every cost, such as travel, hotel, and meals, paid for by someone else.

   Grammar: Comes before the noun it describes: an all-expenses-paid holiday. It can also follow a linking verb: The holiday was all expenses paid.

   Patterns

   • an all-expenses-paid trip
   • be all expenses paid

   She won an all-expenses-paid trip to Paris in a competition.

   The company offered him an all-expenses-paid move to the new office.

   Their honeymoon was all expenses paid, thanks to her parents.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   Used to say that all costs will be covered by the person or organization arranging something.

   Grammar: Often appears after the verb be: The conference is all expenses paid.

   Patterns

   • something is all expenses paid

   Don't worry about the cost—the training is all expenses paid.

   The job interview is all expenses paid, so keep your receipts.

Common combinations

all-expenses-paid trip

He went on an all-expenses-paid trip to Japan for work.

all-expenses-paid holiday

They enjoyed an all-expenses-paid holiday in the Caribbean.

all-expenses-paid conference

The all-expenses-paid conference included meals and accommodation.

all-expenses-paid package

The prize was an all-expenses-paid package for two.

Synonyms and how they differ

fully paid

Means all costs are paid, but it doesn't necessarily include travel, meals, and hotel; it often refers to a single bill.

complimentary

Means given free of charge, usually for a single item or service, not a whole trip.

Commonly confused: all expenses paid or all-inclusive?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “all expenses paid”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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